News

FUNAI PARENTS’ FORUM COMMENDS VC

FUNAI Parents Forum, the umbrella body of parents/guardians of students of the Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI), Ebonyi State has commended the development efforts of the Vice-chancellor, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba in providing the needed infrastructure and conducive learning environment for students; making the university one of the most sought-after tertiary institutions in Nigeria presently.

The parents made their views known during a town hall meeting held recently as part of the 6th matriculation ceremony of the university.

Some of the parents during the town hall meeting held at the university auditorium

Expressing their joy and gratitude for the rapid turnaround recorded in the university in the last two years especially in the area of internal road network, the parents extolled the vice-chancellor and members of the management for making the university look much better in comparison to what it used to be.

“We appreciate the Management for the changes in the environment”, a parent noted.

A female parent acknowledging the difference made by the vice-chancellor in the area of road construction during the town hall meeting

“I am amazed by what I have seen today. Last year, the dust was unbearable but now tarred roads everywhere”, another parent stated enthusiastically.

“Thank you sir, for not just improving the environment of the university, but also ensuring that the students are serious-minded. Now my son has the desire to read and study hard unlike what it used to be before he entered FUNAI”, a visibly happy parent also said.

A happy parent expressing his appreciation for the developmental strides in the university

There were wild applauses when the vice-chancellor assured them that before the next matriculation ceremony, the university would have made more gains in infrastructural development, academic expansion and other important areas that would impact positively on the lives of students on campus.

Meanwhile, the vice-chancellor also used the opportunity to thank the Forum for their contributions in developing the university, especially in providing lecture seats for the students, fencing of the university environment to ward-off the menace of herdsmen and other intruders, and the construction of junior staff quarters to make the university a virtual community.

VC, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba speaking during the town hall meeting with FUNAI Parents’ Forum, flanked by the executive of the association

“We are concerned about the security of our students. So thank you for the fencing that is going on”, the Vice-chancellor noted, pledging “on our part we will continue to treat them like our biological children.”

Professor Nwajiuba also used the opportunity to reaffirm the commitment of the university towards academic excellence and integrity, maintaining that the institution would continue to do the right things in order to turn-out graduates people would be proud of.

“We are laying proper foundation. Though we are young but I heard we are doing well. We want to turn-out people we can be proud of. We have kept to our academic calendar. Our lecturers do not sell hand-outs. Recommended books can only be bought in the university bookshop. Our language Enhancement Programme is to get your children trained to be able to speak like university students. And we are very strict on sexual harassment”, he said.

He maintained that the university is geared towards training students who would be employable and employers of labour on graduation, stressing “we are not joking here.”

Finally, the vice-chancellor solicited for the continuous support of the Parents Forum, taking cognizance of the fact that the university cannot do it alone, vowing to ensure that all their contributions were channeled to the development of the institution.

After the event at the university auditorium, the vice-chancellor also witnessed the constitution of the FUNAI College of Medicine Parents’ Forum, with the self-mandate of getting endowment funds to support the development of the College. Recall also that the Faculty of Engineering and Technology had established its Parents’ Forum, which has continued to help the Faculty through the provision of some important scientific and technological equipment.

All the supports and contributions from these strategic stakeholders of the university underscores the confidence they have on the ability of the vice-chancellor to channel useful energies and resources into tangible results, for the speedy development of the institution.